"Our opponent is an alien starship packed with atomic bombs. We have a protractor."

I find it difficult to find the appropriate words to describe Anathem. For starters, I think I would have been totally lost had I not already had some basic knowledge of philosophy and quantum physics. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. Stephenson has a gift - the man makes reading about these relatively dense topics extremely compelling, and the whole thing is sprinkled with wonderful humor throughout (see the about quote). I couldn't put it down. Reading Anathem is a project, certainly, but the payoff is well worth it. Educating, entertaining, and thought-provoking.

A word probably should be mentioned about the egregious use of made-up words in this book, because its probably the most fascinating use of a fictional language I have ever come across. At first it bothered me - things that have clear analogues in the real world are being referred to by crazy names ... it's a little unnecessary, don't you think? But as it turns out, that's the WHOLE POINT. Literally - the point of the book is an examination of the Platonic ideals and the existence of a Thing as greater than its Name. Literally. At some point around the final fourth of the book this point is made spectacularly. For once I am going to have to disagree with xkcd (see link), and make an exception for Anathem and it's remarkably subtle theoretical point contained therein. So if you're reading and like me, the fake words are getting you down, it's worth it, I promise.

So clearly it's an enormous book and I haven't even touched on a ridiculous number of topics available for discussion. Thoughts, anyone?



Jacob's edits: I add the spoiler warning as the opening line gives away the early tension of the novel... the other edits are related to the fact that I'm a bit daft.